*MY ELECTRIC PIANO AND I*
This is not a band, but more of a narration exposing my personal struggles and ecstasies performed by myself and my instrument. Voice and Piano.
I do, however sporadically incline myself towards the indulgence of experimenting and performing with featured musicians as unique and un-commerical as moi.
The HA!MAN...A musical genius with a gift that just keeps on giving. He defines true performance, free of boundaries. He is a musical nomad, travelling and performing internationally all year-round. We collaborate whenever our star-crossed paths meet and the audience is left asking 'where have they been my whole life?'. *Magic*
Raheem, a beautiful machine, churning poetic rap, exciting and driving my piano keys.
Dain, a brilliant beat-boxing-vocal-percussionist and rhymer who complements his vocal no-bound lyrics & sounds with an infusion and embracing sense of jazz, side-stepping the basic song-structures in as much as I like to.
I love the freedom that music grants me. One of my gifts in this life is my relationship with music...it has enabled me to heal myself at first and now others too, through my free-flowing release of it.
It's hard to describe my music as I switch from accapella to alternate with a classical twist. Some people say that i remind them of Tori Amos but i get a deeper thrill when i'm called "indescribable".
It brings me an insane amount of fullfilment when someone tells me that their soul was touched by my performance/music. I see the sparkle in their eye, their smile as they purchase my album and I write them a personal message...it's what keeps me performing!
Here are some of my favourite quotes from media and fellow musicians:
Wicked Mike, of Wicked Rock - "Never has a solo voice captured me so. It's like being kidnapped by a fantasy. There's danger and beauty within Shomon's voice and lyrics ... and like a Stockholm Syndrome, I desire to give into both; to be tied yet free."
Angus, of Subculture Magazine - "...this is a test. there's something new brewing underneath the surface. it's dark 'n pretty, its light in dark. an etched voice and sculpted refrains. from the haunted soul of person and piano, comes the tale of Shomon..."
Michelle Dennis, of Northglen News- "A haunting voice accompanies unusual melodies which resonate deep within your soul. Words spin sad tales in lilting tones which capture you in a sensual web of sound art. Your imagination is stimulated and you see eerie places and ethereal beings and feel the light slowly overcome the darkness. Listening to her music is an experience in which all the senses are ignited and when the song has ebbed, you are not yet released for the sonic silken threads linger on in your mind."
Thina Tasker of Vibemsters - "...for those of you who have experienced Shomon's magic before, you know what you're in for! For those of you who have not, prepare yourselves for lots of goose bumps and to be blown away and blessed!”
Marco Nico of Suncoast Casino's HAVANA GRILL - ..." Nowdays the music out there is predictable and commercialised. You hear one song, you've heard them all. However, Shomon gives us something rare. Her music is totally unique and uncommercial as well as beautiful and needed. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have asked Shomon to perform here for us this evening..."
The Ha! Man - "Even if I were to experience Shomon's performance live, with my ears and eyes shut and without any of my senses functioning, I would still feel nourished!"
Influences
*I AM SO SO SO AMAZED AND IN AWE OF THE MUSIC THAT IS BEING BORN FROM THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO EXPERIENCE AND BE A PART OF THIS BURST OF FREE, CREATIVE AND HONEST EXPRESSION FLOWING FORTH FROM OUR VERY BEING*
There is a lot of great music out there, but locally, here's who does it for me: Guy Buttery, MunDain,Harris Tweed, Freshly Ground, AVATAR, Habit To, LARK, Napalma, MAISHA...*
Internationally though: Imogen Heap, Tori Amos, Bjork, Muse, Bob Marley, Evanesence, Shown Calvin, Regina Spektor, Anouk, Joshua Kadison, Heather Nova...*
*...and shit-loads that I hear all the time and have no idea where within the ether they reside, other than within my appreciation and sense of joy*-*
AS FOR THINGS/PEOPLE THAT INTEREST, INSPIRE AND NOURISH ME:
Existance,Mother Earth, Father God*Love,Water as an alive intelligence,Forgiveness,Self-sustainable Organic Living,HEMP and it's many uses,BIOPHILE MAGAZINE,The Human Being/Body and it's ability to heal through intimate manifestation and the Grace of God,creative freedom,Cinema Noveau,Bob Marley... Wish he was still around so I could get a glimpse inside his heart and see what his perception of this life was...yes his music reveals his interests and concerns, but it does not reveal 'his-self'...BOOKS: The Holy Word *JESUS* Paulo Coelho: 'The Alchemist' and others, Ellen G. White's writings, Siddhartha, The Mastery Of Love, The Four Agreements, Elizabeth Gilbert: 'EAT, PRAY, LOVE'.
Performing only her own original compositions is a brave move for anyone in the music industry. Her non-commercial, yet deeply moving lyrics and melodies have been described by the media and fellow musicians as meaningful, nourishing, igniting all the senses, unique, unpredictable, beautiful, necessary and magical.
Shomon and music are synonymous – she doesn’t play the piano, her fingers make love to the keyboard, as she transports her audience into another dimension, usually with goosebumps! Her voice is Shomon’s most powerful instrument, transforming her from a gentle healing angel into a powerful and raunchy “rock chick” in the space of a few bars. Shomon’s lyrics reflect and reveal the reality of her own personal journey through life, with her observations, feelings and emotions laid bare, allowing her audience to recognise and embrace many things within themselves. It is not so much a performance, but rather an awesome experience, for both the artist and her audience.
Building on and developing the gifts she was born with, Shomon studied Opera at Sahmyook University, Seoul, South Korea, and has recently spent a year at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, USA. “I have realised that my gift in life is my relationship with music and, after being coaxed into performing, it has been a rollercoaster ride of opportunities, performances, collaborations, blessings, abundance and self-discovery”.
Hi!! Thanks for the add ;-) I appreciate it. Gabiola is really running this site for me, but I check in regularly to read the posts. I'm just glad we can all keep the world's music alive in each other. This site is really cool for that! If you want, check out my official website too--- http://www. joshuakadison. com
Peace, Love and MUSIC FOREVER! your friend, Joshua
hello...dear friend..:) how are u? i haven't was on myspace in ages. i got a new job so... it's fun job. :) are u visiting in Korea? anyway i hope everthing is good and happy... take care...
How are things in South Africa? I wish I had caught more of your performances while you were at Berklee. Your music is incredible and very unique. Hope all is well.
yeah..i will be there. wow..im exited and i wanna see you. haha.. i will show you somewhere, beautiful places and traditional things. Dear friend.. im happy cuz you are visiting Korea. Let me know when everything is clear.:) anyway I hope and pray that you and your family are always in good health and safe. Always take care and God Bless. Plus, i will add new pics soon. cuz Lots of stuff to do with very minimal time but i will have free time soon... bye for now..
hi there Shomon.. Long time no see! how are you? im good. i was in sda church today morning. i took a religion class that was difficult for me but i could feel that God always with me. You know, i've never believe God. But all of teacher in SDA changed and helped me. :) Thank you everthing and also your mother. Shomon.. I feel warm whenever i visit your spacex you've never seen though. ha :) always be happy and take care..
SHOMON!!! WHATS UP!!! oh woman your music is so beautiful, just like you are!! So its a perfect song!! man i miss you so much!! check out the picture maris send me!! its from your last show here which was....truely amazing. please keep in touch and i wish you all the best forever and ever and ever and ever!!
-----------------Girls-------------- -----------are like apples------ -------on trees. The best ones----- -----are at the top of the tree.----- ---The boys dont want to reach--- --for the good ones because they-- -are afraid of falling and getting hurt. -Instead, they get the rotten apples- from the ground that arent as good, but easy. So the apples up top think something wrong w/ them when in -reality they're amazing. They just-- ---have to wait for the right boy to ---- come along, the one who's- ----------- brave enough to----- ---------------climb all--------- ---------------the way-------- --------------to the top-------- -------------of the tree.---------
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Hey! Good to hear from you* In which month are you coming back? You only gave dates;) Jis, it'll be hot to see you again. Even if you don't perform in Oudtshoorn, come say hi;) he he. But I can try and organize somethin again. Maybe this time it'll work out better than the last time. Lotsa stuff happening this side. I'd tell you more sometime>>> but for now> I SERIOUSLY NEED SOME SLEEEEEP. I'm presenting a camp this weekend in HARTENBOS (mosselbay), so I think i'll need the rest. A bunch of youth between the ages of 13 and 19...... eish;) i can't wait, though. VERY excited! Rest well* hug
I live here in the midwest right now, I'm a computer geek by day, and a songwriter/singer by night ... It's taken me years to come out my shell and start singing in public. People around here are nice, they seem to appreciate the Afrikaans songs (about 1/2 of each set), even if they're in Afrikaans.
I'd love to hook up with you sometime. Really like Dead Tree Singing. I have a thing for trees, and have lots of photos of damaged trees after storms ....
We've had Francois (Ha!) play here in my area a couple of times. He's done a few backtracks for me, and I did his myspace page :-) So we have at least one friend in common!
